Mom says 8-year-old trampled at Southaven Springfest brawl
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — A child is in the hospital after his mother says he was trampled following a brawl Saturday night at Southaven Springfest.
Tyneshia West told WREG that she allowed her 8-year-old son, Tylen Shaw, to go with his family to the 44th Annual Springfest.
However, it wasn’t long until she received an unwanted call that no parent wants to hear.
Shaw went to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital because of a broken right arm and bruises on his face.
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“Once I made it to the scene, I had to immediately rush him to the nearest hospital because of the pain and injuries,” said West, who spoke over the phone because she was uncomfortable leaving her son’s bedside.
“He writes with his right hand. I now have to teach him how to do things with his left hand,” said West.
She tells us this all started after a group of what appeared to be teenagers started fighting at the event. “They started running because they saw some kind of situation going on.”
The Southaven Police Department stated that Springfest closed early “in the interest of public safety,” and no shots were fired during the brawl. They also said that two arrests were made for disorderly conduct.
West says all her son wanted to do that night was enjoy rides and eat sweets. “It really terrified him. He’s that child that wants to help and just likes to be a part of things — positive things.”
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But unfortunately, his fun has come to an end, as he will now have to wear a cast on his arm for several months.
“He’s still in pain but he’s doing a whole lot better,” said West.
Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite released a statement on Monday regarding the incident.
“Now is when I need everyone to open their ears, look me in the eyes, and listen carefully to me. Springfest was well-planned with the utmost attention to safety detail, well-staffed, well-communicated both internally and externally, and well-executed. The problem Saturday night was caused by juveniles who were left unsupervised by their parents and who were there to cause trouble. This was not a typical fight between teenage boys. These juveniles shouted profanity at Police and refused to comply with authority. I don’t have to be a sociology professor to tell you what I know.
These kids display a lack of parenting, a lack of discipline, a lack of manners, and a lack of respect for authority or any other human beings. We will make adjustments to our carnival next year, but I will not let a small group of bad actors ruin the many great events we have in Southaven. Parents, listen carefully, we will not babysit your kids anywhere in our city or teach them what you’ve failed to teach them, but we will hold them accountable here. Southaven is a great place to live and we will do whatever it takes to keep it this way!”
Musselwhite says that carnival refunds will not be necessary as tickets will hold their value and can be used at next year’s Springfest, or at one of the vendor’s other events in other local cities.
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